Verkhovna Rada allocates another UAH 5.3 billion from state budget for defense

The 2015 budget has suffered the amendments, according to which the defense spending was increased by UAH 5.3 billion.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has increased defense spending in the 2015 budget up to UAH 5.3 billion. This decision was supported by 227 deputies, Joinfo.ua reports.

According to the draft law No 2381a on amending the Law of Ukraine “On State Budget of Ukraine for 2015″ (with respect to increased spending for defense and security), it is provided to increase financing of the ATO in the amount of UAH 5.3 billion within the approved indicators of the state budget of Ukraine for 2015.

The document envisages reduction of expenses and loans of the general fund of other main resource managers; allocation to the general fund of UAH 200 million (85 instead of 15%) of payment for the provision of information from the state register, held by the Ministry of Justice.

The expenses are invited to send: UAH 5.1 million – to finance immediate needs of the Ministry of Defense due to continuation of the mobilization activities; and UAH 158.7 million to finance the needs of other law enforcement agencies to ensure uninterrupted catering for the staff.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine addressed to the Cabinet of Ministers with a request to allocate additional UAH 7 billion in 2015. In particular, UAH 3.9 billion – for military pays for the staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; UAH 1.8 billion – for clothing for servicemen; UAH 1.3 billion – for catering for the staff.

As it is known, the state budget-2015 allocated nearly UAH 90 billion on defense. Earlier, the Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that Ukraine spent 5% of GDP on National Security and another 5% – on debt service.